Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-07-09

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TO amuse the children, and to say that
it did amuse them, would be expressing
it too tamely. The boys who witnessed
! these rag mullins were tickled all over,
and more too. They clapped their
hands and yelled till they were hoarse
at these odd, fantastic-loOking, gro
tesquely dressed men. The Bogus
Band was one Of the very funny feat
ures of the rag muffin show. Its
leader was Link Nipps and the whole
performance was a success.
Arriving at the grounds the process
sion disbanded, and the thousands IN
attendance gathered in groups wher-
ever they could find shade or a nice
grassy spot, and eat their dinners in
picnic fashion.
At about one O'Clock, Chief Cficer
! Spauldlng sounded upon bugle a sig
nal for order. Getting the people as
quiet as was possible under the circum-
stances, he introduced Elder Greene, Of
the NJ. E. Church, who opened the
meeting with a fervent patriotic inYoca-
ton. Mayor John w. Lowe was then
introduced, who read a well prepared,
happily worded, right royal welcome
to the people there assembled.
After music by the band, the Hon.
John r. Hamilton, of Norton, came
forward and began his address. While
we do not endorse all he uttered, we
can most heartily say he made a good,
patriotic, progressive speech. 1t was
appropriate to the occasion. After
abiding to the destruction of slavery,
he sald there are still gigantic evils in
this country, and that unless checked
by legislation, they will yet abridge or
destroy our liberties; they are
unclaimed Simpsons" These Samp-
sons are corporations, especially rail-
road corporations. Mr.. Hamilton said
he is surprised that the people will
build railroads and then give them to
the companies. AS he did not explain
his meaning further than the explana-
ton the words themselves furnish, some
of our people criticised the remark, as
it is the identical statement made at
the late special elections IN this county,
by those who opposed voting bonds to
the Rock Island railroad. (The HER
AID demonstrated at that time, that
the voting Of aid to railroads as was
done to the c, X. & n. was not a gift &,
but to extend the aid asked would be
good financiering on the part Of the
people.) With a full elaboration of the
position taken by the speaker, We do
not question but that his critics might
agree with him. The speakers asser-
ton that one-third of the railroad stocks
of the country are "watered'' being
thus bogus, in fact counterfeits or
stealings from the people, is unfortu-
nately too true. The wrecking of rail-
roads by Wall street sharks, the col
lOsal rObberies Of the great toilIng
masses should be stopped by Iegisla-
ton. The HERALD agrees with the
orator that there are some 'schained
Simpsons, )" and we hope they will
remain chained and the chains be made
tighter and stronger.
Mr.. Hamilton is a prohibitionist, a
woman suffragist and a progressive
republican. He is a fluent, eloquent
speaker.
After the Grafton came the singing
contest between the Union Dale and
Bethel Sabbath schools, which was an
interesting and pleasing feature Of the
day.
Then came the bicycle race, the base
ball games, the toOs races, the climbing
the CREASED pole, &c, all of which came
of without any hitch or baking, and
all seemed to be hugely enjoyed by
everybody.
At night the grand fire works display
took place from the dome OF the court
house and was very fine. Hundreds of
country people remained in town TO
witness this part Of the days doings.
During the day there was many minor
amusements, such as swings, dances g,
innocent games, &c.
Taken altogether it was, as was ex-
pressed by a patriotic young fellow.
''a rip-rOaring time" From 5000 to
5000 people were in attendance, and
it was a day long to be remembered by
all those who participated.